reduce emissions from freight

Florence Eshalomi: You have said that you want to reduce construction traffic by five per cent by 2020. What is the current reduction in construction traffic levels? Please provide details of the start date of this measurement, the start figure for traffic and the current figure for traffic.

The Mayor: As set out in my Environment Strategy, I want to cut emissions and reduce the amount of freight movement in central London. Given the challenges of identifying which industry different freight vehicles are operating within, the focus is on the target contained in my Transport Strategy. This sets the target to cut the number of lorries and vans entering central London in the morning peak by 10 per cent by 2026 against a 2016/17 base. Recent analysis shows that we are currently on a trajectory to meet the 2026 target. The latest figures will be available in Travel in London 12, due to be published shortly.
In order to reduce the number of construction and logistics vehicles on our roads, TfL, together with the construction industry, has developed a number of award-winning resources to help increase operational efficiency while reducing the risks and environmental impact of construction logistics. Information about key tools and resources can be found here: https://constructionlogistics.org.uk/

West Silvertown (2)

Navin Shah: 35% of the new homes on the site are to be affordable. Please provide a breakdown on the number of homes and their bed size and tenure type.

The Mayor: The application proposes 41 per centaffordable housing (by habitable room), or 35 per centby unit, made up of 60 per centLondon Affordable Rent and 40 per centshared ownership, as set out below:
Unit type
London Affordable Rent
Shared ownership
Market
Total
1 bed flat
0
19
92
111
2 bed flat
12
12
59
83
3 bed flat
43
2
13
58
Total
55
33
164
252

North Circular cleanliness

Andrew Dismore: I am pleased to see that TfL have been removing graffiti from the North Circular between Henley’s Corner and East Finchley High Road, however there is considerably more work still to be done, and the persistent problem of weeds remain along the pavement. Will you ask TfL to remove the weeds on both sides, and finish off the cleansing works?

The Mayor: Environmental Protection duties such as sweeping and cleaning of the highways are the responsibility of the boroughs. However, Transport for London (TfL) is responsible for the weed treatments and will continue to work with the local boroughs to improve the appearance of A406. The ongoing night works are scheduled to continue through November and December, and include annual weed treatments, cleaning of graffiti, hedge cutting, other standard maintenance and removal of detritus.

Royal Wharf (1)

Navin Shah: Please update on the current state of development of the Royal Wharf site in Newham, planning reference 16/00224/FUL. Please breakdown by all the different use classes.

The Mayor: The Newham planning reference 16/00224/FUL is for the Pontoon Dock planning application which was approved on the 11 April 2017. The application was for the redevelopment of the site to deliver 236 residential units and 769 sq m of flexible floorspace (A1-A3, A5, B1, D1 and D2) over 15 floors, together with associated car and cycle parking, landscaping and pedestrian link route to Thames Barrier Park, and associated works.
Construction started in 2017. The borough added a note on the London Development Database record in July this year to say that the developer expects it to be completed by the end of 2019, with occupation expected early in 2020.

Studio and one-bedroom flats (3)

Nicky Gavron: Your response to my question 2019/19990 defines a studio as “A self-contained flat where there is no separate bedroom.” The minimum internal space standards for new dwellings set out in table 3.1 of your new draft London Plan state that the smallest dwelling allowed is 37 square metres for a one-person one-bedroom flat. In which case, is it right for developers to be building homes with no bedroom?

The Mayor: The design policies of the draft London Plan set minimum space standards for private internal space as well as stipulating numerous qualitative criteria that together will ensure the achievement of good design.
The draft London Plan allows for minimum space requirements for a one-bed one-person home to be achieved through either a studio or one-bedroom layout, provided that other quality design criteria are met.
I am confident that the design policies in my draft London Plan provide a robust framework to ensure the delivery of good quality homes for Londoners.

Studio and one-bedroom flats (2)

Nicky Gavron: The scenario from the 2017 Strategic Housing Market Assessment that is based on current evidence finds that approximately 30% of new homes in London should have one bedroom. Your response to my question 2019/19990 shows that 44% of new approvals in 2018/19 were for one-bedroom flats, and 43% of those referable to you. What steps are you taking to reduce this figure, to ensure that a greater proportion of new homes given permission are two-bedroom and family-sized?

The Mayor: I am committed to ensuring the delivery of housing that meets Londoners’ needs and my draft London Plan requires housing schemes to consist of a range of unit sizes and tenures, taking into account any evidence of local and strategic needs.
My draft Plan is also clear that boroughs should provide guidance on the size mix of low cost rented units to ensure new homes meet identified need. In addition, I am considering the Panel of inspectors’ recommendation in respect of the draft Plan policy on housing size mix to allow boroughs to set size mix requirements for all tenures and particularly encourage this for site allocations.

Transport Decarbonisation Plan (1)

Florence Eshalomi: The groundwork for the Transport Decarbonisation Plan will start immediately, with the department for transport publishing a document setting out the challenge later this year. Have you or TfL been asked to give your views on the challenge faced in London?

The Mayor: While neither I nor Transport for London (TfL) have yet been asked to contribute to the Government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan, there is ongoing dialogue with the Department for Transport (DfT) and others and I would be pleased for GLA and TfL officers to contribute to this work.
I have ensured London was one of the first global cities to publish a 1.5 degree compatible plan and I set my ambition for zero emission and zero carbon transport in the London Environment Strategy and Mayor’s Transport Strategy, including all road transport in London to be zero emission by 2050 contributing to a zero-carbon city. Our plan shows that the UK government are responsible for delivering the reductions of over half of London’s emissions and so the Transport Decarbonisation plan is a key opportunity to set out detail on how they will do this in the sector including ensuring cities have the necessary funding and powers to take action.
TfL always stands ready to work with the DfT and others, and I am keen that central Government demonstrates the same level of commitment to tackling the environmental crisis as I have in London.

Studio and one-bedroom flats (1)

Nicky Gavron: Following your response to my question 2019/19990, could you break down the number of studio and one-bedroom flats given permission by tenure type?

The Mayor: Data on the number of bedrooms in residential developments is held on the London Development Database (LDD), which includes all permissions that propose new residential units.
Analysis of the LDD data shows that in 2017/18, 92 per centof gross studio units approved were market tenure and 8 per centwere affordable. In 2018/19 the provisional data shows that 95 per centof studio units were market tenure and 5 per cent were affordable tenures. For 1-bed units in 2017/18, 79 per cent were market and 21 per centaffordable and in 2018/19 the percentages were also 79 per centmarket and 21 per centaffordable.
Looking only at schemes proposing 150 units or more (as this is the threshold at which residential schemes must be referred to me), in 2017/18, 86 per cent of gross studio units approved were market tenure and 14 per centwere affordable. In 2018/19 the provisional data shows that 94 per centof studio units were market tenure and 6 per cent were affordable tenures. For 1-bed units in 2017/18, 76 per centwere market and 24 per cent affordable and in 2018/19 the percentages were also 76 per centmarket and 24 per centaffordable.
The figures and explanatory notes are included in the attached spreadsheet.

TFL staff assulats

Susan Hall: For each of the years Nov 16 to Oct 17, Nov 17 to Oct 18 and Nov 18 to Oct 19, please can you provide the number of times TFL staff were:
• Attacked?
• Threatened with a knife/bladed article?
• Injured by a knife/bladed article?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) staff work hard to serve the millions of customers who use the transport network everyday and have the right to go about their work without fear or intimidation.
TfL incident data shows that there were 1,745 physical assaults against TfL staff between November 2016 and October 2019. This ranges from pushing and shoving to more serious violence with injury.
In 75 reports, there is reference to a knife or bladed instrument being used, threatened or intimated in the assault. One (1) of these incidents resulted in a member of TfL staff being injured with a knife or blade.
TfL takes all violence and aggression against their staff seriously and is working with the police to catch and prosecute offenders to ensure there are consequences for their actions.
Staff Assaults (TfL)
Period
Physical assault (with and without injury)
Knife/blade referenced in report
Injuries
Nov ’16 to Oct ‘17
505
19
Nil
Nov ’17 to Oct ‘18
612
21
1
Nov ’18 to Oct ‘19
628
35
Nil
Total
1745
75
1

Local Authority Implementation of London Plan Definition of Gypsies and Travellers

Jennette Arnold: How will you work together with local authorities in London to ensure the draft London Plan definition of Gypsies and Travellers is implemented without delay?

The Mayor: The Panel of Inspectors appointed to examine the draft London have recommended that I remove the Plan’s definition of Gypsies and Travellers as they consider it to be inconsistent with national policy. I do not agree with the recommendation, for the reasons that I proposed the new definition in the first place, and am currently considering my response.
The draft Plan’s policy sets out a framework to ensure the new definition is taken on board and requires boroughs to plan to meet identified need for permanent Gypsy and Traveller pitches, including reflecting ten-year pitch targets in their Development Plan Documents. The Panel have also recommended that I commit to instigating and leading a London-wide Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs assessment, and I think there is merit in this recommendation.

Definition of Gypsies and Travellers in the London Plan

Jennette Arnold: The definition of Gypsies and Travellers in the Draft London Plan Policy H16 is a very positive step forward. Will you give a commitment to keep this definition in the adopted London Plan?

The Mayor: The examination in public of the Plan has been completed and the Planning Inspectorate have issued their report and recommendations. They recommended that the definition of Gypsies and Travellers in the draft London Plan be deleted as it is not consistent with the national definition.
I do not agree with the recommendation, for the reasons that I proposed the new definition in the first place, and am currently considering my response to all of the Panel’s recommendations.

Provision of Sites for Gypsies and Travellers Across London

Jennette Arnold: A recent report from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission1 found that after the government change in the definition of Gypsies and Travellers, local planning authorities’ assessments of how many pitches would be needed fell by almost 75%. How are you ensuring that in spite of this huge drop there are enough sites for gypsies and travellers across London?
1https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/our-work/news/disabled-elderly-an...

The Mayor: In recognition of the impact the Government’s definition of Gypsies and Travellers has had on accommodation needs assessments and pitch provision, my draft London Plan policy provides a more comprehensive definition of Gypsies and Travellers, which should be used in London. The recently published Equality and Human Rights Commission report on the impact of the government’s definition on Gypsy and Traveller sites specifically highlights my definition as a proactive response to this new definition.
In addition, my draft London Plan policy goes further than previous Plans, not only in terms of introducing a new definition, but it also requires boroughs to plan to meet the identified need for permanent Gypsy and Traveller pitches, and include ten-year pitch targets in their Development Plan Documents.

London's Greenbelt

Gareth Bacon: Will you give your unequivocal commitment to Londoners, particularly those in outer boroughs, that you will do everything within your power to protect the city’s greenbelt?

The Mayor: I have provided the strongest possible protection for the Green Belt in my draft London Plan as well as taking a robust approach to resisting development proposals that would cause harm to it. I am currently considering the recommendations of the Panel’s report of the Examination in Public of the London Plan. But I have made no secret of my continued commitment to preserving and enhancing the Green Belt.
Strong protection of the Green Belt prevents urban sprawl and prioritises development on brownfield land. It is also important due to the multiple environmental benefits that the Green Belt provides, including supporting London’s resilience to climate change, supporting food growing, providing important habitats for wildlife and allowing space for recreation for Londoners.

Permanent Sites for Gypsies and Travellers

Jennette Arnold: 80% of London’s Gypsies and Travellers live in bricks and mortar housing. Most of them would like to live on a permanent site, but there is a crisis in provision of these sites. What have you done to ensure that new permanent sites are being identified and provided?

The Mayor: My draft London Plan policy provides a definition for Gypsies and Travellers that should be used for assessing their housing needs. This definition is more comprehensive than the Government’s national definition, and specifically includes Gypsies and Travellers who currently live in bricks and mortar dwelling households whose existing accommodation is unsuitable for them by virtue of their cultural preference not to live in bricks and mortar accommodation.
My draft London Plan goes further than previous Plans, not only in terms of introducing a new definition, but also in requiring boroughs to plan to meet the identified need for permanent Gypsy and Traveller pitches and include ten-year pitch targets in their Development Plan documents.

Royal Wharf (2)

Navin Shah: 17% of the new homes on the site are to be affordable. Please provide a breakdown on the number of homes and their bed size and tenure type.

The Mayor: The provision of affordable housing at Pontoon Dock is 35 per cent(82units). The scheme has the following housing mix:
Unit type
PRS
Affordable Rent
Discounted Market Rent
Shared Ownership
Total
1 bed flat
62
13
3
13
91 (38%)
2 bed flat
65
11`
3
13
92 (39%)
3 bed flat
27
10
3
13
53 (23%)
Total
154 (65%)
34 (14%)
9 (4%)
39 (17%)
236 (100%)

West Silvertown (1)

Navin Shah: Please update on the current state of development of the West Silvertownsite in Newham, planning reference19/01791/FUL. Please breakdown by all the different use classes.

The Mayor: The stage1report was considered on the 19 August. The proposal is for a residential-led mixed-use development, comprising 252 residential units and 1,078 sq.m. of flexible ground floor retail/leisure floorspace (flexible Use Class A1/A2/A3/D1/D2), as part of a new local centre adjacent to West Silvertown DLR Station. A new public space is proposed on the eastern part of the site, at the southern end of the DLR station, connecting to a pedestrian crossing over North Woolwich Road towards Britannia Village.
The stage 1 report is here: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/planning-applications-and-decisions/planning-application-search/land-adjacent-west-silvertown-dlr-station-1
The application has not yet been referred back to me for stage 2.

Tube noise [1]

Andrew Dismore: When was the decision taken to accede to the RMT’s demands for action to remove in-carriage noise through the removal of PV pads?

The Mayor: Following constructive discussions with the Tube unions in recent months, Transport for London (TfL) has rightly committed to reducing in-carriage noise levels, which impact both passengers and Train Operators.
The causes of Tube noise, including in-carriage noise, are complex and there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. While Pandrol Vanguard (PV) has been linked to in-carriage noise in some locations, there may be other locations where its installation is not the cause.
TfL is trialing an alternative track fastening, manufactured by Delkor, on the Jubilee line. PV has been removed in this area to allow for the Delkor product to be fitted. This trial will establish whether the product can reduce noise and vibration for local residents while also addressing in-carriage noise. In the meantime, an enhanced and targeted rail grinding plan is being used to address in-carriage noise.

Demolition and rebuild

Nicky Gavron: Are you concerned about the potential impact on London of proposals announced by Secretary of State Robert Jenrick that would use “Permissions in Principle” to allow the demolition of commercial buildings to be rebuilt as residential, without requiring a full planning application?

The Mayor: Yes, I am concerned about the Government’s proposal to allow demolition of commercial buildings to be rebuilt as residential, without requiring a full planning application. The Government originally proposed – in October 2018 – to introduce this through new Permitted Development Rights, and I raised serious concerns in response to their consultation.
Details regarding the proposed implementation of this right were due to be published in the Government’s Green Paper ‘Accelerated Planning’ in the Autumn of this year. However, it is now not clear when these details will emerge.
I will continue to lobby Government to take a plan-led approach to planning for housing in London. It is vital that the right homes are built in the right places, that London’s businesses have the space to start up and grow, and that we deliver homes that are genuinely affordable and of a decent standard for all Londoners.

Planning Departments

Nicky Gavron: Housing and Planning Minister Esther McVey announced the Government will establish an “A-Team” of planning experts to help under-resourced local authority planning departments. Do you know how much money has been cut from London boroughs’ planning and building control departments since 2010?

The Mayor: These departments have seen extensive cuts since 2010. As a result, the Institute for Fiscal Studies’ most recent research shows that across England, councils’ net expenditure on planning and development services fell by over 50 per cent in real terms between 2009-10 and 2017-18.
I have taken steps to support local authorities through my Good Growth by Design programme. In 2017, I was one of the founding partners of Public Practice, a social enterprise that places outstanding built environment experts within public authorities to build the public sector’s capacity to improve the quality of everyday places. Public Practice has already quadrupled in scale, making a total of 84 placements across 36 public authorities since it started.

Transport Decarbonisation Plan (3)

Florence Eshalomi: Your transport strategy says, “The Government’s aim for all new cars and vans to be zero emission from 2040 is not ambitious enough and should be accelerated to ensure that all new cars and vans are zero emission from 2030, with all new heavy vehicles (over 3.5 tonnes) being zero emission from 2040.” Is this still your view, or do the delivery dates need to be increased further?

The Mayor: I consider that ensuring that all new cars and vans are zero emission from 2030, with all new heavy vehicles (over 3.5 tonnes) being zero emission from 2040 within London is a challenging but achievable target. The Government’s national target is not ambitious and urgently needs accelerating.
I want to deliver this transformation as soon as possible in London but many of the key opportunities to deliver real change are controlled at a national level, for example, fiscal incentives for electric vehicles and de-carbonising the mix of grid electricity. As such the UK Government needs to accelerate their plans for decarbonisation of transport including ensuring cities have the necessary funding and powers to take action.

Hammersmith Bridge (3)

Leonie Cooper: Do we now know the final cost for the repair of Hammersmith Bridge and whether the Government is willing to assist with paying for this essential piece of infrastructure?

The Mayor: Early stage estimates indicate the work could cost £120m, although as this is purely an early estimate. It includes a contingency due to the unknowns, complexities and challenges inherent in repairing such an old, Historic England listed structure. Transport for London (TfL) has already pledged £25m towards this cost.
In August I met the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps MP, where I outlined the need for a discussion on options for funding for the renewal of key structures in London, including Hammersmith Bridge. I asked the Government to work with us and TfL to identify options for funding renewals of vital infrastructure – which keep millions moving safely each day – not just in London, but nationally.
My Deputy Mayor for Transport has subsequently written to the Department for Transport requesting a discussion about funding options for the bridge.

Small sites (2)

Siân Berry: How are you monitoring borough councils making small sites available for small developers, housing associations, and communities?

The Mayor: Boroughs’ Local Plans have to be in general conformity with the draft London Plan. In assessing these plans, my officers work with the boroughs to ensure that they are optimising housing delivery from small sites, enabling them to support community-led housing and small and medium-sized developers to make a substantially greater contribution to new housing supply across London and increase overall delivery. We are also developing supplementary guidance to support boroughs in developing design codes for small sites.
In addition to the draft London Plan policies, my Small Sites Small Builders programme will continue to help identify and deliver more of these sites for the benefit of communities across London.

Report It To Stop It Campaign

Shaun Bailey: Will you commit to using some of your permanent TfL advertising space to raise awareness for the Report it to Stop It campaign?

The Mayor: For too long, unwanted sexual behaviour has gone under-reported, but as a result of the Report It To Stop It campaign, the number of people reporting these disgusting crimes with the confidence that action will be taken, has increased.
Since the Report It To Stop It campaign launched in 2015, reports of unwanted sexual behaviour to the police have over doubled, leading to the arrest of more than 1,500 people. The success of the Report It To Stop It campaign to-date has shown that posters on the Tube network are not necessary to encourage greater reporting.

TfL Training

Gareth Bacon: Can you provide the total spend by TfL on both internal and external training for each of the last 3 years?

The Mayor: TfL aims to provide development options to all employees at all stages of their career. Learning opportunities are and will continue to be available to all employees; however the way these opportunities are delivered is changing.
Where previously there was preference towards classroom learning and externally provided courses, TfL is now moving towards a more self driven model of independent learning, with more focus on online learning or experiential learning, such as mentoring and coaching opportunities.
The total spend for centrally coordinated training is provided in the below table for the previous three years.
Year
Internally Provided
Externally Provided
Total
2016/17
£2,806k
£2,521k
£5,327k
2017/18
£1,894k
£969k
£2,863k
2018/19
£1,862k
£1,031k
£2,893k
Whilst there has been a decrease in centrally coordinated training, all safety critical training and mandatory training to maintain licenses has been ring-fenced.

Illegal Working by Private Hire Drivers

Keith Prince: In the recent BBC investigation into private hire drivers working illegally, TFL stated ‘all new applications in which the topographical test had been taken at a private college rather than at one of its eight official examination centres had now been put on hold’. Why did the Mayor ever allow this practice?

The Mayor: In its role as licensing authority Transport for London (TfL) permitted an exemption for applicants who held a relevant vocational qualification in the form of a valid certificate from an authorised school or college.
The exemption was for those drivers who had already obtained relevant vocational qualifications through on-the-job assessments, enabling them to demonstrate experience of acting as a PHV driver and therefore not need to undertake TfL’s topographical skills assessment unnecessarily and in the process incur addition time and financial costs.
As a result of the BBC report, TfL has put on hold any applications from candidates who have not taken a topographical assessment in a TfL centre. TfL is now reviewing whether to remove this exemption in its entirety.

Ticket inspectors assaults

Susan Hall: For each of the years Nov 16 to Oct 17, Nov 17 to Oct 18 and Nov 18 to Oct 19, please can you provide the number of times TFL ticket inspectors were:
• Attacked?
• Threatened with a knife/bladed article?
• Injured by a knife/bladed article?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) ticket inspectors work hard to protect TfL’s revenue by ensuring customers have a correct and valid ticket to travel. They have the right to go about their work without fear or intimidation.
TfL incident data shows that there were 392 physical assaults against TfL’s revenue inspectors working on London Underground and London Buses between November 2016 and October 2019. This ranges from pushing and shoving to more serious violence with injury.
In seven reports, there was reference to a knife or bladed instrument being used, threatened or intimated in the assault. None of these incidents resulted in a member of TfL staff being injured with a knife or blade.
TfL takes all violence and aggression against their staff seriously and is working with the police to catch and prosecute offenders to ensure there are consequences for their actions.
Ticket Inspector Assaults (TfL)
Period
Physical assault (with and without injury)
Knife/blade referenced in report)
Injuries
Nov ’16 to Oct ‘17
111
3
Nil
Nov ’17 to Oct ‘18
159
1
Nil
Nov ’18 to Oct ‘19
122
3
Nil
Total
392
7
Nil